FR3111974A1 - Thermal regulation device for cooling electrical energy storage devices. - Google Patents

Abstract

Title: Thermal control device for cooling electrical energy storage devices. The main object of the invention is a thermal regulation device (1) for cooling electrical energy storage devices, the thermal regulation device (1) comprising a support plate (2) and a distribution plate ( 4) made integral with each other so as to define between them a sealed conduit (6) for the circulation of a thermal regulation fluid, characterized in that the support plate is made in one piece and in that the distribution plate (4) is formed by a plurality of modules (24) respectively fixed to the support plate (2) and to at least one neighboring module (24) so as to form the said leaktight conduit (6). Figure 1.

Description

Thermal regulation device for cooling electrical energy storage components.

The field of the present invention is that of thermal regulation devices. The present invention relates more particularly to the means used to cool the electrical energy storage devices fitted to such vehicles.

It is known nowadays to equip electric, thermal or hybrid vehicles with electrical energy storage devices allowing an electrical supply to the various elements of the vehicle. These electrical energy storage devices are generally composed of electrical energy storage cells positioned in a battery pack.

Car manufacturers are now seeking to provide more powerful electric or hybrid vehicles, with increased electric range. For this, more and more battery packs, and/or ever larger battery packs, are installed on these electric or hybrid vehicles. It is known to install all or at least some of these battery packs at the floor of the vehicle, substantially over the entire width of the vehicle.

It is understood that during the operation of the vehicle, the battery packs can release a significant quantity of heat and therefore be subjected to temperature rises which can in certain cases cause them to be damaged, or even destroyed. Consequently, their cooling is essential in order to keep them in good condition and thus ensure the reliability, range and performance of the vehicle. In addition, the operation of the battery packs may be less efficient in the event of low temperatures, the electrical or electronic components fitted to these battery packs then needing a time to rise to temperature before operating at full efficiency.

To do this, one or more thermal regulation devices intended to regulate the temperature of the battery packs are implemented to ensure the heating and/or cooling functions of the electrical or electronic components inside these battery packs and optimize the operation of the various components.

These thermal regulation devices are generally traversed by a heat transfer fluid which can, as required, either absorb the heat emitted by each battery pack in order to cool it or provide heat if the temperature of the battery pack is insufficient for its correct operation.

It is known that the thermal regulation devices can consist, for example, of a flat plate on which is crimped or riveted a stamped plate so as to form, between the flat plate and the bosses formed in the stamped plate, a conduit intended to be traversed by the heat transfer fluid. This type of thermal regulation device generally extends over the entire surface formed by the corresponding battery pack, and the plate is arranged in the battery pack so that each of the storage cells can be positioned against the plate, so that the heat transfer fluid circulating in the duct of the thermal regulation device is capable of capturing calories from all of the electrical energy storage cells.

Nevertheless, in the previously mentioned context of battery packs having increasingly large dimensions, a drawback of this plate regulation device technology lies in the fact that the manufacture of stamped plates of sufficient dimensions to cover the whole of A vehicle battery pack is complex and expensive, requiring the use of large presses.

In this context, the present invention proposes an alternative to existing devices by splitting the stamped plate of such devices into several stamped plates assembled together on the flat plate to form the thermal regulation device.

The subject of the present invention is thus a thermal regulation device for cooling electrical energy storage devices, the thermal regulation device comprising a support plate and a distribution plate made integral with one another of so as to define between them a leaktight conduit for the circulation of a thermal regulation fluid, characterized in that the support plate is made in one piece and in that the distribution plate is formed by a plurality of modules respectively fixed on the support plate and to at least one neighboring module so as to form said leaktight conduit.

The support plate here forms the base on which is fixed the distribution plate constituted by the plurality of modules, the leaktight conduit being delimited by the support plate and by the plurality of modules. The distribution plate is here formed by at least two distinct modules, each module being at least fixed to one another as well as to the support plate. The sealed conduit is delimited both by the plurality of modules and by the support plate.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the support plate is flat, and each module is formed by a stamped plate so as to define the shape of the conduit delimited between the support plate and the module participating in forming the distribution plate.

It is thus notable that, according to the invention, only the distribution plate is split, that is to say the stamped plate whose reliefs make it possible to size the conduit for the heat transfer fluid. The support plate is advantageously formed in one piece, because it is easily achievable in a continuous plate cutting process, while the distribution plate is made in several parts, so as to avoid using a press of stamping too large and costly. The number of modules to be provided to form the distribution plate of a thermal regulation device of a given length is then a compromise between, on the one hand, the implementation of simplified manufacturing by the use of presses of standard stamping to obtain modules of small sizes, and on the other hand a rapid assembly process by cutting the distribution plate into a number of modules reduced to the maximum.

In this context of compartmentalization of the distribution plate, the fact of providing a one-piece support plate makes it possible on the one hand to ensure the referencing in position of each of the modules relative to each other to achieve the sealing of the duct from one module to another, and on the other hand to reduce the number of parts making up the thermal regulation device and therefore to reduce the number of assembly operations.

According to an optional characteristic of the invention, the plurality of modules comprises a first module, a last module and at least one intermediate module, the modules being mounted on the support plate in series one after the other.

It is understood that the first module, the last module and the intermediate module are mounted one after the other and are aligned along the same axis, which defines a longitudinal extension of each plate of the thermal regulation device.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the support plate extends in a first plane and each module forming the distribution plate comprises a flat peripheral edge extending in a plane substantially parallel to the first plane.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the flat peripheral edge of each module is in contact with the support plate by forming a contact zone in a plane parallel to the foreground.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, each module forming the distribution plate comprises at least one raised peripheral edge extending substantially perpendicular to the first plane.

A module may include one, two or more raised peripheral edges, each of these edges extending perpendicular to the foreground.

According to another optional feature of the invention, each module is in contact with at least one neighboring module at its at least one raised peripheral edge.

Two neighboring modules are thus in contact with each other by their raised peripheral edge, that is to say that the raised peripheral edge of one of the modules is in contact with the raised peripheral edge of its neighboring module. . When the module comprises at least two raised peripheral edges, one of these two raised peripheral edges is in contact with the raised peripheral edge of the neighboring module, the other raised peripheral edge being in contact with the raised peripheral edge of another neighboring module .

These raised peripheral edges form on the one hand abutment means between the modules ensuring the positioning of one module next to the other, and on the other hand contact surfaces making it possible to ensure the holding of the modules between them once the modules and the support plate have been brazed together.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, each intermediate module comprises two peripheral edges raised in opposition, each intermediate module thus being in contact with a first neighboring module via a first raised peripheral edge and in contact with a second neighboring module via a second opposite raised peripheral edge.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the first module, the last module and/or the intermediate module respectively comprise at least one means for maintaining the position of a neighboring module.

It is understood that the means for maintaining in position makes it possible to maintain the positioning of a module with respect to a neighboring module before these modules are fixed to each other and to the support plate, in particular by a brazing operation ensuring the fixing of the elements relative to each other and the tightness of the whole. These means for holding in position thus make it possible to facilitate the mounting of the plurality of modules on the support plate by maintaining the position of the various modules between them.

According to another optional feature of the invention, the means for holding one of the modules in position has a shape complementary to the raised peripheral edge of a neighboring module.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the means for holding the module in position is an outgrowth of the raised peripheral edge taking the form of a hook. In other words, the means for maintaining position projects from the corresponding raised peripheral edge, that is to say it forms a relief from the raised peripheral edge from which it emerges.

It is understood that the hook then delimits a housing in which the raised peripheral edge of a neighboring module can be partially positioned.

According to another optional feature of the invention, the means for holding in position associated with the modules are configured such that each module can be positioned relative to a neighboring module by a positioning movement perpendicular to the plane of the support plate. Once the raised edge of a module is engaged in the means for holding the neighboring module in position, the means for holding in position, in particular in the form of a hook, has the effect of locking the module in position in one of the directions defining the plane of the support plate, namely the longitudinal direction.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, at least one of the modules comprises, projecting from a raised peripheral edge, a plurality of means for holding in position, including a first lateral hook forming a protrusion at a first lateral end of the edge raised peripheral and a second lateral hook forming a protrusion at a second opposite lateral end of this raised peripheral edge.

According to another optional feature of the invention, the side hooks project from the side ends of the module in a transverse direction. The lateral hooks thus extend projecting at each of the lateral ends of the raised peripheral edge, extending the raised peripheral edge towards the outside of the module. Each lateral hook has a first branch transversely extending the corresponding raised peripheral edge and a second parallel or substantially parallel branch, forming a return branch, which is directed in the direction of the other hook.

The presence of the two lateral hooks in opposition, that is to say arranged on each of the lateral ends of the module, if necessary symmetrically, makes it possible to block the module in position according to the other of the directions defining the plane of the support plate, namely the lateral direction.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, at least one of the modules comprises, projecting from a raised peripheral edge, a central hook, arranged substantially equidistant from the lateral ends of the raised peripheral edge.

The central hook extends projecting from the raised peripheral edge in a direction perpendicular to the foreground, i.e. the central hook has a return branch directed towards the support plate. This central hook allows the module to which it is attached to be locked in position, in a direction perpendicular to the foreground, i.e. the plane in which the support plate extends.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, at least one intermediate module comprises, projecting from a first raised peripheral edge, a first lateral hook forming a protrusion at a first lateral end of the first raised peripheral edge, a second lateral hook forming a protrusion at a second lateral end of this first raised peripheral edge, and a central hook, arranged substantially equidistant from the lateral ends of the first raised peripheral edge.

The plurality of means for holding in position thus projects from the first raised peripheral edge, it being understood that the second raised peripheral edge has no equivalent means for holding in position such as hooks for example. By this arrangement, the intermediate module can be positioned following another intermediate module, and more exactly the plurality of means for holding in position formed projecting from the first raised peripheral edge of one of the intermediate modules can come into engagement of the second raised peripheral edge of the other intermediate module. This unilateral arrangement of the plurality of means for holding in position ensures a standardization of design of the intermediate modules which can be arranged indiscriminately one after the other to participate in forming a thermal regulation device as described here. In addition, this unilateral arrangement facilitates the assembly of the modules one after the other, the operator only having to concentrate on the positioning of a raised peripheral edge of the intermediate module which has just been fixed by compared to the modules already in place.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, each module participates in forming the sealed circulation conduit and comprises a central flat wall in contact with the support plate, so as to separate the sealed conduit into a first circulation space and into a second circulation space.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the neighboring modules are arranged relative to each other so that the central flat wall of one of the modules extends the central flat wall of a neighboring module.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the raised peripheral edge has a depression at the level of the central flat wall.

It is understood by depression that the end of the raised peripheral edge opposite the support plate extends at variable heights from one lateral end to the other, and that at the level of the central wall, this end of the peripheral edge raised is closer to the support plate. It should be noted that a depression is also present at the level of the lateral ends of the raised peripheral edge, in the continuity of the flat peripheral edges of the module.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the central hook is arranged projecting from the corresponding raised peripheral edge in the zone of this depression.

According to another optional feature of the invention, the central hook is arranged projecting from the raised peripheral edge so that the top of the hook extends into the space defined between, on the one hand, an outer face of the walls of the modules delimiting the circulation spaces on either side of the central flat wall and on the other hand the support plate.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, at least one of the modules comprises a fluid inlet and/or a fluid outlet.

This fluid inlet and/or outlet allows a fluid, for example a heat transfer fluid, to be able to circulate through the sealed conduit, by circulating in particular from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, the sealed circulation conduit takes the form of a "U", with a first module which comprises the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet and the second module which has a communication between the two circulation spaces.

According to another optional characteristic of the invention, each module is fixed to the support plate and to at least one neighboring module by a soldering operation.

The invention also relates to a method of assembling a thermal regulation device as mentioned above, during which the modules forming the distribution plate are installed one after the other on the support plate, and during which performs simultaneous brazing of all the modules and the support plate once the modules are installed, to form the sealed conduit.

According to another characteristic of the invention, during the step of installing the modules, the position of each of the modules is fixed with respect to each other on the support plate, by causing the means for holding in position to cooperate with raised peripheral edges of each of the modules.

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and several examples of embodiment given by way of indication and not limitation with reference to the appended schematic drawings on the other. part, on which:

is a representation in perspective of a thermal regulation device according to the invention;

is an exploded view of the thermal regulation device according to FIG. 1, showing more particularly the production of a distribution plate in several modules;

is a top view of a first module comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet of the thermal regulation device;

is a representation in perspective of a raised peripheral edge of the first module of the thermal regulation device according to FIG. 3;

is a representation in perspective of the connection between the first module of the thermal regulation device according to FIG. 3 and an intermediate module of the thermal regulation device;

is a top view of the intermediate module of the thermal regulation device according to FIG. 5;

is a representation in perspective of a raised peripheral edge of the intermediate module of the thermal regulation device according to FIG. 5;

is a representation in perspective of another raised peripheral edge of the intermediate module of the thermal regulation device according to FIG. 5;

is a top view of a last module, comprising a U-shaped stamping, of the thermal regulation device according to FIG. 1;

is a representation in perspective of a raised peripheral edge of the last module of the thermal regulation device according to FIG. 9;

is a representation in perspective of the connection between the intermediate module of the thermal regulation device according to figure 5 and the last module of the thermal regulation device according to figure 9.

The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be associated with each other, in various combinations, insofar as they are not incompatible or exclusive with respect to each other. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of characteristics described below in isolation from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and/or to differentiate the invention. compared to the prior art.

In the following description, the denominations “longitudinal”, “transverse” and “vertical” refer to the orientation of a thermal regulation device according to the invention. A longitudinal direction corresponds to a main direction of extension of the thermal regulation device, this longitudinal direction being parallel to a longitudinal axis L of a reference L, V, T illustrated in the figures. A transverse direction corresponds to a main direction of extension of a raised peripheral edge of one of the modules of the thermal regulation device, this transverse direction being parallel to a transverse axis T of the reference L, V, T, and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, a vertical direction corresponds to a vertical axis V of this reference L, V, T, this vertical axis V being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and the transverse axis T.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a thermal regulation device 1 extends mainly in a plane parallel to the longitudinal L and transverse axes T. This thermal regulation device 1 is configured to be equipped on a motor vehicle and participate to thermal regulation, and more generally to cooling and/or heating, of an electrical energy storage member of the vehicle. The thermal regulation device 1 comprises for this at least a support plate 2 and a distribution plate 4 arranged on the support plate 2 along the vertical axis V. By this superimposition, the support plate 2 and the distribution plate 4 participate in delimiting between them a sealed conduit 6 for the circulation of a thermal regulation fluid. The distribution plate 4 and/or the support plate 2 are intended to be in contact with a wall, such as a bottom wall for example, of a battery pack, or intended to receive a compression element such than a foam or an elastic pad. The distribution plate 4 and/or the support plate 2 can also be directly in contact with the electrical energy storage cells of the battery pack.

The sealed conduit 6 here extends from a fluid inlet 8 to a fluid outlet 10, this fluid inlet 8 and this fluid outlet 10 each comprising an orifice provided on the distribution plate 4. The regulation device thermal 1 also comprises a first rigid pipe 12 arranged at the level of the fluid inlet 8 and a second rigid pipe 14 arranged at the level of the fluid outlet 10. These rigid pipes 12, 14 extend, once mounted on the thermal regulation device 1, along the vertical axis V from the distribution plate 4 towards the outside of the thermal regulation device 1 opposite the support plate 2, crossing the fluid inlet 8 or the fluid outlet 10. These rigid pipes 12, 14 make it possible to connect the thermal regulation device 1 to a heat transfer fluid distribution network of the vehicle.

The support plate 2, as more particularly visible in Figure 2, here consists of a flat wall whose main plane of extension is parallel to the longitudinal L and transverse axes T. More particularly, the support plate 2 has a shape substantially rectangular and comprises two longitudinal sides 16 of the same dimension and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L and two transverse sides 18 of the same dimension and substantially parallel to the transverse axis T. As represented here, the two transverse sides 18 have a dimension less than the dimension of the two longitudinal sides 16, these dimensions being measured along the longitudinal axis L for the longitudinal sides 16 and along the transverse axis T for the transverse sides 18.

The distribution plate 4 extends mainly in a plane parallel to the main plane of extension of the support plate 2, that is to say in a plane parallel to the longitudinal L and transverse axes T. The distribution plate 4 thus also has, overall, a rectangular shape similar to that of the support plate 2, similarly having two longitudinal flanks 20 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis L and two transverse flanks 22 extending parallel to the transverse axis T. In addition, the transverse sides 22 of the distribution plate 4 are substantially of the same dimension as the transverse sides 18 of the support plate 2, just as the longitudinal sides 20 of the distribution plate 4 are substantially of the same dimensions than the longitudinal sides 16 of the support plate 2.

The distribution plate 4 has an external face 21 opposite an internal face, the external face of the distribution plate 4 being oriented towards the outside of the thermal regulation device 1 while the internal face is oriented towards the support plate 2 by participating in delimiting the sealed conduit 6, or to a neighboring module 24 in the connection zones between modules which will be described below.

According to the invention, and as illustrated in FIG. 2 for example, the distribution plate 4 differs from the flat support plate 2 in that it has, on the one hand, bosses and hollows, to delimit the sealed conduit 6 between the two plates, and secondly in that it is formed in several parts while the support plate 2 is made in one piece.

According to the invention, the distribution plate 4 consists of a plurality of modules 24 respectively fixed to the support plate 2 and to at least one neighboring module 24 so as to form the sealed conduit 6. In other words, the sealed conduit 6 extends between the plurality of modules 24 forming the distribution plate 4 and the support plate 2, each module 24 of the plurality of modules 24 being formed at least in part by a stamped wall 26 participating in delimiting said leads 6.

The stamped wall 26 of each module 24 generally has a rectangular shape, two edges of which are at least parallel to the longitudinal axis L, and two other edges of which are at least parallel to the transverse axis T. Among these edges, there are including at least one flat peripheral edge 28, at which the internal face of the module 24 is oriented towards the support plate 2, and a raised peripheral edge 30 at which the internal face of the module 24 is oriented towards a neighboring module 24.

The distribution plate 4 is thus formed by an alignment of the modules 24, the plurality of modules 24 being formed by an arrangement of the modules 24 one after the other along a longitudinal direction, that is to say in series one after the other. Thus, the longitudinal edges of the modules 24 are aligned so as to form a longitudinal continuity of the distribution plate 4. In addition, a transverse edge of a module 24 can be arranged against the transverse edge of a neighboring module 24.

The flat peripheral edge 28 of each of the modules 24 extends either parallel to the longitudinal axis L and to a longitudinal side 16 of the support plate 2, helping to form a longitudinal side 20 of the distribution plate 4, or parallel to the transverse axis T and to a transverse side 18 of the support plate 2 by participating in forming a transverse flank 22 of the distribution plate 4. Each flat peripheral edge 28 extends mainly in a plane parallel to that of the support plate 2, that is to say a plane parallel to the longitudinal L and transverse axes T, allowing each of the modules 24 of the distribution plate 4 to form at least one plane contact with the support plate 2. These contact zones make it possible to seal the sealed conduit 6 formed between the distribution plate 4 and the support plate 2, in particular by increasing the contact surface and thereby facilitating the soldering operation once the modules are in place. r the support plate.

The at least one raised peripheral edge 30 of each module extends substantially perpendicularly with respect to the support plate 2, that is to say with respect to a plane in which the longitudinal L and transverse T axes are inscribed. Each raised peripheral edge 30 thus extends along the vertical axis V from the stamped wall 26 towards the outside of the thermal regulation device 1 opposite the support plate 2.

According to the example illustrated in all the figures, each raised peripheral edge 30 of each module 24 also extends along the transverse axis T without however participating in forming one of the transverse sides 22 of the base plate. distribution 4. In other words, the two modules 24 arranged at the longitudinal ends of the distribution plate 4 have a flat peripheral edge 28 which continuously forms the two longitudinal edges and a transverse side arranged opposite the other modules 24, and a raised peripheral edge 30 which forms a transverse edge facing the other modules. In the example illustrated here, intermediate modules arranged between these two longitudinal end modules 24 then comprise two flat peripheral edges 28 extending longitudinally and parallel to each other, and two raised peripheral edges 30 which are extend transversely and parallel to each other.

In the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the plurality of modules 24 here comprises a first module 32 and a last module 34, which respectively form one of the two modules arranged at a longitudinal end of the thermal regulation device, and at least one intermediate module 36 interposed between the longitudinal end modules.

As for example shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the first module 32 here comprises the fluid inlet 8 and the fluid outlet 10 and constitutes one of the longitudinal ends of the distribution plate 4. In accordance with what has been described above, the first module 32 comprises two longitudinal flat peripheral edges 38 and a transverse flat peripheral edge 28 extending between the two longitudinal flat peripheral edges 38, the transverse flat peripheral edge 40 forming one of the transverse flanks 22 of the distribution plate 4. The first module 32 also comprises a raised peripheral edge 30 extending between each longitudinal flat peripheral edge 38 of the first module 32 while being opposite the transverse flat peripheral edge 40.

As for example shown in Figures 1, 2 and 9, the last module 34 constitutes the other longitudinal end of the distribution plate 4. The last module 34 also comprises two longitudinal flat peripheral edges 38 and a transverse flat peripheral edge 40 s extending between the two longitudinal peripheral edges 38 of the last module 34, the transverse flat peripheral edge 40 of the last module 34 forming the other transverse side 22 of the distribution plate 4. The last module 34 also comprises a raised peripheral edge 30 s extending between each longitudinal flat peripheral edge 38 of the last module 34 while being opposite the transverse flat peripheral edge 40 of the last module 34. Arranged thus, the raised peripheral edge 30 of the last module 34 is oriented towards the raised peripheral edge 30 of the first module 32.

As for example shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6, the intermediate module 36 here extends longitudinally between the first module 32 and the last module 34, the first module 32, the last module 34 and the intermediate module 36 thus being aligned in series along the longitudinal axis L. The intermediate module 36 comprises two longitudinal flat peripheral edges 38 and two raised peripheral edges 42, 44 extending transversely so as to connect the two longitudinal flat peripheral edges 38 to each other. raised peripheral edge 42 of intermediate module 36 faces raised peripheral edge 30 of first module 32, a second raised peripheral edge 44 of intermediate module 36 being arranged facing raised peripheral edge 30 of last module 34.

Each module 24 is in contact with at least one neighboring module 24 at its at least one raised peripheral edge 30. More specifically, each raised peripheral edge 30, 42, 44 of a module 24 is in contact with a raised peripheral edge 30, 42, 44 of another module 24. According to the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the raised peripheral edge 30 of the first module 32 is in contact with the first raised peripheral edge 42 of the intermediate module 36, the edge raised peripheral 30 of the last module 34 being in contact with the second raised peripheral edge 44 of the intermediate module 36. The intermediate module 36 thus connects the first module 32 to the last module 34.

One can imagine in another embodiment that the plurality of modules 24 comprises several intermediate modules 36 to allow an elongation of the distribution plate 4 along the longitudinal axis L, each intermediate module 36 being characterized as described above . The first raised peripheral edge 42 of an intermediate module 36 is then in contact either with the raised peripheral edge 30 of the first module 32 as described above, or with the second raised peripheral edge 44 of another intermediate module 36. , the second raised peripheral edge 44 of an intermediate module 36 is then in contact either with the raised peripheral edge 30 of the last module 34 as described above, or with the first raised peripheral edge 42 of another intermediate module 36.

According to the invention, at least one of the first module 32, the last module 34 and/or the intermediate module 36 comprises at least one means for holding in position 46 a neighboring module 24. This means for holding in position 46 makes it possible to freeze the position of each module 24 with respect to a neighboring module during assembly of the thermal regulation device, so as to form the distribution plate 4 before its fixing on the support plate. 2. These position holding means 46 are arranged at the level of the raised peripheral edges 30 of each of the modules 24.

In the example shown, each position holding means 46 is an outgrowth of the raised peripheral edge 30 of one of the modules 24, generally taking the form of a hook, of shape and dimensions complementary to those of the raised peripheral edge 30 of a neighboring module against which said module, equipped with the position means or means 46, bears. Each module 24 may comprise one or more hooks, each hook making it possible to hold the module 24 and its neighboring module in position at least along the longitudinal axis L.

As can be seen in particular in FIG. 8, the hook may be a lateral hook 48 and laterally extend the raised peripheral edge 30 at the level of one of the longitudinal flat peripheral edges 38. In this case, the lateral hook 48 extends mainly towards the outside of the thermal regulation device 1 along the transverse axis T. In addition, the lateral hook 48 has a substantially "U" shape, comprising a first branch, or primary branch, which extends in the transverse extension of the raised peripheral edge 30, a base of the "U" which extends substantially longitudinally in the continuity of the first branch and opposite the module carrying this lateral hook, and a second branch, or return branch , which extends parallel to the first branch from the base towards the module 24.

A space is formed between the two branches of the lateral hook 48, this space being configured to be able to partially receive the raised peripheral edge 30 of the neighboring module 24. The arrangement of this lateral hook 48 is such that the space is open vertically on either side of the hook.

During assembly of the thermal regulation device, once the raised peripheral edge 30 of the neighboring module 24 is housed in the space defined by the lateral hook 48, the neighboring module is locked in position with respect to the module 24 comprising the lateral hook 48 along the longitudinal L and transverse T axes.

More particularly, each side hook participates in locking the neighboring modules with respect to each other in the longitudinal direction, due to the specific configuration of these side hooks. And the presence of two lateral hooks in opposition, that is to say arranged on each of the lateral ends of the same module, makes it possible to block the neighboring module according to the transverse direction, each lateral hook participating in blocking the transverse displacement according to one direction.

As can also be seen in FIG. 8, the hook may be a central hook 50 and vertically extend the raised peripheral edge 30 equidistant from each of the longitudinal flat peripheral edges 38 extending mainly towards the outside of the regulating device. thermal 1 along the vertical axis V. In addition, the central hook 50 has substantially a "U" shape, comprising a primary branch, or first branch, which extends in the vertical extension of the raised peripheral edge 30 , a base of the "U" which extends substantially longitudinally opposite the module carrying this central hook, and a second branch, or return branch, which extends parallel to the primary branch from the base towards the module.

A space is formed between the two branches of the central hook 50, this space being configured to be able to partially receive the raised peripheral edge 30 of the neighboring module 24. The arrangement of this central hook 50 is such that the space is open transversely on either side of the hook.

During assembly of the thermal regulation device, once the raised peripheral edge 30 of the neighboring module 24 is housed in the space defined by the central hook 50, the neighboring module is locked in position with respect to the module 24 comprising the central hook 50 along the longitudinal L and vertical V axes.

More particularly, the central hook participates in locking the neighboring modules with respect to each other in the longitudinal direction, due to the specific configuration of this central hook. Vertically, each module is held in position, before the brazing operation, against the support plate by gravity, the hook preventing the neighboring module from unhooking in the opposite direction.

It should be noted that the shape of the lateral 48 and central 50 hooks allows positioning of the various modules 24 on the support plate 2 by a translation along the vertical axis V, the cooperation of the raised peripheral edges with the hooks of the module neighbor being made possible by this vertical translation movement.

Each stamped wall 26 forming the modules 24 delimits at least one circulation space of the sealed conduit 6, this circulation space being formed by a stamping 54 of the stamped wall 26 along the vertical axis V opposite the plate support 2. This stamping 54 thus allows the heat transfer fluid to be able to circulate between the distribution plate 4 and the support plate 2 in the sealed conduit 6. In addition, the stamped wall 26 here comprises a plurality of stamped parts 51, directed towards the interior of the circulation space of the sealed conduit 6, in order to find itself across the flow of the heat transfer fluid and increase the exchange surface between the fluid and the distribution plate.

Each module 24 is arranged after a neighboring module so as to form a continuity of the sealed conduit 6 from one module 24 to another. Each module 24 comprises a central flat wall 52 in contact with the support plate 2, so as to separate the circulation space of the sealed conduit 6 into a first circulation space 54 and into a second circulation space 56. The flat wall central 52 extends in the same plane as that of the flat peripheral edges 28 of each of the modules 24, that is to say in a plane parallel to the longitudinal L and transverse axes T, to be in contact with the support plate 2. The central flat wall 52 here extends longitudinally from the raised peripheral edge 30 of each of the modules 24 towards the opposite edge of said modules 24, being or not in contact with this opposite edge depending on whether the module consists of a module intermediate or one or other of the modules arranged at the longitudinal end of the thermal regulation device. In addition, the raised peripheral edge 30 has a depression 49 at the level of the central flat wall 52 at the level of which the central hook 50 can be provided, for example.

Once mounted on the support plate 2 and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the neighboring modules 24 are arranged relative to each other so that the central flat wall 52 of one of the modules 24 extends the central flat wall 52 of a neighboring module 24. Thus, the central flat wall 52 of the first module 32 is extended by the central flat wall 52 of the intermediate module 36 along the longitudinal axis L towards the last module 34. Similarly, the central flat wall 52 of the last module 34 is extended by the central flat wall 52 of the intermediate module 36 along the longitudinal axis L towards the first module 32. The central flat wall 52 of the intermediate module 36 is then in contact with the central flat wall 52 of the first module 32 and the wall central plate 52 of the last module 34.

We will now describe more particularly each of the modules 24 starting with the first module 32, then by the intermediate module 36 and finally by the last module 34 with reference to Figures 3 to 11.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first module 32 comprises a first circulation space 54 of the sealed conduit 6 at the level of which the fluid inlet 8 of the sealed conduit 6 is provided. More specifically, the first circulation space 54 is here delimited transversely by one of the longitudinal flat peripheral edges 38 of the first module 32 and the central flat wall 52 of the first module 32, and longitudinally by the transverse flat peripheral edge 40. The second circulation space 56 is itself delimited transversely by the other longitudinal flat peripheral edge 38 of the first module 32 and the central flat wall 52 of the first module 32, and longitudinally by the transverse flat peripheral edge 40. The first circulation space 54 and the second circulation space 56 are open to the level of the raised peripheral edge 30, on either side of the central flat wall, each circulation space 54, 56 thus extending longitudinally from s the transverse flat peripheral edge 40 to the raised peripheral edge 30.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first module 32 comprises, projecting from the raised peripheral edge 30, a plurality of position holding means 46 including a first lateral hook 48 forming a protrusion at a first lateral end 58 of the raised peripheral edge 30, a second lateral hook 48 forming a protrusion at a second lateral end 60 opposite this raised peripheral edge 30 and a central hook 50 here equidistant from each of the longitudinal flat peripheral edges 38 of the first module 32.

It is understood that the plurality of means for holding in position 46, namely the side hooks 48 and the central hook 50, are arranged on the same raised peripheral edge 30 of the first module 32.

These side hooks 48 comprise a first branch 62 extending from the raised peripheral edge 30 opposite the other side hook 48 along the transverse axis T. This first branch 62 then extends into an intermediate branch 64 forming the base of a "U", a second branch 65, or return branch, extending from the intermediate branch 64 towards the module parallel to the first branch 62 then forming a space configured so that at least a part of the lateral end 58, 60 of the raised peripheral edge 30 of a neighboring module 24 can be housed there, as for example illustrated in FIG. 5.

The central hook 50 is here provided at the level of the depression 49 of the first raised peripheral edge 42, this central hook 50 being configured to cooperate with the raised peripheral edge 30 of the intermediate module 36 intended to be attached against the first module, and more particularly at the depression 49 of the raised peripheral edge 30 of this intermediate module 36.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the intermediate module 36 comprises a first circulation space 54 of the sealed conduit 6 and a second circulation space 56 of the sealed conduit 6 extending respectively, once the distribution plate 4 is mounted, the first circulation space 54 and the second circulation space 56 of the first module 32. More precisely, the first circulation space 54 is here delimited transversely by one of the longitudinal flat peripheral edges 38 of the intermediate module 36 and the central flat wall 52 of the intermediate module 36. The second circulation space 56 is delimited transversely by the other longitudinal flat peripheral edge 38 of the intermediate module 36 and the central flat wall 52 of the intermediate module 36. The first circulation space 54 and the second circulation space 56 are open at the level of the first and second raised peripheral edges 42, 44, each circulation space 54 , 56 of the intermediate module 36 thus extending longitudinally between the two raised peripheral edges 42, 44.

Thus and as illustrated in FIG. 5, the lateral hooks 48 of the raised peripheral edge 30 of the first module 32 cooperate with the lateral ends 58, 60 of the first raised peripheral edge 42 of the intermediate module 36 and the central hook 50 of the peripheral edge raised 30 of the first module 32 cooperates with the depression 49 of the first raised peripheral edge 42 of the intermediate module 36. The cooperation between the various hooks 48, 50 and the raised peripheral edges 30, 42, of the first module 32 and of the intermediate module to position the first module 32 and the intermediate module 36 along the longitudinal L, transverse T and vertical V axes, each of the two modules being moreover in vertical support against the support plate.

The intermediate module 36 also comprises a plurality of means for maintaining in position 46 disposed at the level of the second raised peripheral edge 44 and configured to cooperate with the last module 34. These means for maintaining in position 46 here take the form on the one hand lateral hooks 48 formed at the level of the lateral ends 58, 60 of the second raised peripheral edge 44 and on the other hand a central hook 50 formed at the level of the depression 49 of the second raised peripheral edge 44. These hooks 48, 50 are configured to cooperate with the raised peripheral edge 30 of the last module 34, and more particularly, respectively at the level of the lateral ends 58, 60 of the raised peripheral edge 30 and at the level of its depression 49.

It is thus understood that the intermediate module 36 comprises a raised peripheral edge 42 devoid of means for holding in position 46 and a raised peripheral edge 44 comprising all the means for holding in position 46 in the form of hooks, here two lateral hooks 48 and a central hook 50. Thus, and by this arrangement, the intermediate module 36 can be positioned following at least one adjacent intermediate module 36, and more exactly the plurality of means for holding in position 46 the second peripheral edge raised 44 of one of the intermediate modules 36 can come into engagement with the first raised peripheral edge 42 of the other intermediate module 36.

One can imagine that the thermal regulation device 1 comprises several intermediate modules aligned one after the other so that the first raised peripheral edges 42 of the intermediate modules 36 are in engagement with the plurality of means for holding in position 46 disposed on the second raised peripheral edges 44 of an adjacent intermediate module 36. It is understood that it is thus possible to adapt the dimension of the thermal regulation device 1 along the longitudinal direction L by varying the number of intermediate modules 36 between the first module 32 and the second module 34, and this with a single type of intermediate module, standard, which easily attaches to a previously used intermediate module.

Thus and as illustrated in FIG. 11, the lateral hooks 48 of the second raised peripheral edge 44 of the intermediate module 36 cooperate with the lateral ends 58, 60 of the raised peripheral edge 30 of the last module 34 and the central hook 50 of the second edge raised peripheral 44 of the intermediate module 36 cooperates with the depression 49 of the raised peripheral edge 30 of the last module 34. The cooperation between the various hooks 48, 50 of the intermediate module 36 and the raised peripheral edge 30 of the last module 34 makes it possible to position the last module 34 and the intermediate module 36 along the longitudinal L, transverse T and vertical V axes, each of the two modules being moreover in vertical support against the support plate. As represented in FIGS. 9 and 10, the last module 34 comprises a raised peripheral edge 30 devoid of means for holding in position and then configured to cooperate with the means for holding in position 46 of the intermediate module 36. The last module 34 comprises a single circulation space 70 having a "U" shape with an inlet branch 72, an outlet branch 74 and a connecting branch 76 connecting the inlet branch 72 to the outlet branch 74.

The inlet branch 72 and the outlet branch 74 of the last module 34 are both delimited transversely by the central flat wall 52, the inlet branch 72 also being delimited transversely by one of the longitudinal flat peripheral edges 38 of the last module 34 and the outlet branch 74 being delimited transversely by the other longitudinal flat peripheral edge 38 of the last module 34. The inlet branch 72 and the outlet branch 74 both open at the level of the raised peripheral edge 30 of the last module 34 and communicate with each other through the connecting branch 76.

In addition, when mounting the distribution plate 4, the last module 34 is positioned relative to the intermediate module 36 so that the first circulation space 54 of the intermediate module 36 communicates with the input branch 72 of the last module 34 and that the second circulation space 56 of the intermediate module 36 communicates with the exit branch 74.

In this embodiment, the sealed conduit 6, formed by the thermal regulation device as a whole, generally takes the form of a "U" whose first branch is formed by the first circulation spaces 54 of the first module 32 and of the intermediate module 36 and by the input branch 72 of the last module 34, the second branch of which is formed by the second circulation spaces 56 of the first module 32 and of the intermediate module 36 and by the output branch 74 of the last module 34 , and whose connection between the two branches is made by the connecting branch 76 of the last module 34.

It should be noted that this embodiment does not limit the invention, since the thermal regulation device is made in accordance with the invention, namely with a flat support plate made in one piece and at least two modules forming end to end a distribution plate attached to the support plate.

We will now describe a method of assembling the thermal regulation device 1, during which the modules 24 forming the distribution plate 4 are first installed one after the other on the support plate 2, and during which in a second step, simultaneous brazing of all the modules 24 and the support plate 2 is carried out, the modules 24 thus fixed on the support plate 2 each participating in forming the sealed conduit 6.

More specifically, a first step of the assembly process consists in fixing the position of each of the modules 24 with respect to each other on the support plate 2, by causing the means for holding in position 46 to cooperate with the raised peripheral edges 30 , 42, 44 of each of the modules 24. The cooperation of the position holding means 46 with the raised peripheral edges 30, 42, 44 of each of the modules 24 is carried out as described above, with reference to Figures 5 and 11, that is to say by moving the modules one after the other along the vertical axis V to bring them into contact with the support plate, making sure to position the modules on the support plate 2 24 which have a central hook 50 after positioning the modules 24 without a central hook 50.

As specified above, the raised peripheral edge 30 of the last module 34 has no means for holding it in position. In this way, the raised peripheral edge 30 of the last module 34 can engage with the plurality of means for holding in position 46 the second raised peripheral edge 44 of the intermediate module 36, but also with the plurality of means for holding in position 46 of the first module 32. Thus, the thermal regulation device 1 can comprise only a first module 32 and a last module 34 when the longitudinal dimension of the thermal regulation device 1 envisaged implies a design without intermediate module.

Furthermore, this unilateral arrangement of the plurality of means for holding in position 46 on each intermediate module 36 ensures modularity in the mounting and assembly of the intermediate modules 36 of a thermal regulation device 1 as described here. It is conceivable to provide an indefinite number of intermediate modules arranged next to each other, it being understood that this plurality of intermediate modules arranged successively one behind the other will always present at one longitudinal end a raised peripheral edge equipped with several holding means in position capable of cooperating with the last module 34 and at the other longitudinal end a raised peripheral edge devoid of means for maintaining in position and thus capable of cooperating with the means for maintaining in position fitted to the first module 32.

It is thus understood that the number of intermediate module 36 can vary from zero to several intermediate modules 36 installed one after the other between the first module 32 and the last module 34.

The modules 24 assembled together form the distribution plate 4 which is then adjusted and correctly positioned on the support plate 2. Each module 24 is then fixed to the support plate 2 and to at least one neighboring module 24 by an operation of soldering. This soldering operation makes it possible to fix the modules 24 to their neighboring module at the level of their raised peripheral edges 42, 44, the soldering also fixing the modules 24 to the support plate 2 at the level of their flat peripheral edges 28 and at the level of their central flat wall 52. It is understood that for this purpose, the modules can be made originally with a layer of filler material intended to be melted at the time of brazing, the layer of filler material then being arranged on the internal face of each of the peripheral edges of the modules and on the internal face of the central flat wall. This operation thus makes it possible to form the thermal regulation device 1 and the leaktight conduit 6 crossing it.

Once the thermal regulation device 1 is mounted on a vehicle and connected to a heat transfer fluid distribution network, the heat transfer fluid can circulate through the sealed pipe 6 by flowing from the fluid inlet 8 to the fluid outlet 10 in the different circulation spaces 56, 58, 72, 74, 76 of the modules 24.

The invention as it has just been described makes it possible to meet the objectives it had set itself, namely the production of large-scale thermal regulation devices without it being necessary to provide presses excessively imposing stampings. This is possible thanks to the production of a modular device, with a distribution plate produced in several modules and a flat support plate produced in one piece because it does not necessarily require a press, this support plate serving as a reference for each modules. The modules forming the distribution plate carry all, or almost all, of the stampings provided for the production of the fluid circulation conduit between the distribution and support plates.

The number of modules can thus easily vary to adjust the length of the thermal regulation device as soon as the support plate, easily achievable because flat, is large enough to receive this number of modules.

The invention cannot however be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here, and it also extends to any equivalent means or configuration described and illustrated here, and it also extends to any equivalent means or configuration and to any combination technique operating such means. By way of non-limiting example, and as may have been mentioned previously, the quantity of intermediate modules described and illustrated above may vary without departing from the context of the invention, as can the number and arrangement of one module to another means for maintaining position.

Claims (10)

Thermal regulation device (1) for cooling electrical energy storage devices, the thermal regulation device (1) comprising a support plate (2) and a distribution plate (4) made integral with one of the other so as to define between them a leaktight conduit (6) for the circulation of a thermal regulation fluid, characterized in that the support plate is made in one piece and in that the distribution plate (4 ) is formed by a plurality of modules (24) respectively fixed to the support plate (2) and to at least one neighboring module (24) so as to form the said leaktight conduit (6). A thermal control device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of modules (24) comprises a first module (32), a last module (34) and at least one intermediate module (36), the modules (24) being mounted on the support plate (2) in series one after the other. Thermal regulation device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the support plate (2) extends in a first plane and each module (24) forming the distribution plate (4) comprises a peripheral edge plate (28) extending in a plane substantially parallel to the first plane. Thermal regulation device (1) according to claim 3, in which each module (24) forming the distribution plate (4) comprises at least one raised peripheral edge (30, 42, 44) extending substantially perpendicular to the first plane. A thermal control device (1) according to claim 4, wherein each module (24) is in contact with at least one neighboring module (24) at its at least one raised peripheral edge (30, 42, 44). Thermal regulation device (1) according to any one of Claims 4 or 5 in combination with Claim 2, in which each intermediate module (36) comprises two raised peripheral edges (42, 44) in opposition, each intermediate module (36 ) thus being in contact with a first neighboring module (32) via a first raised peripheral edge (42) and in contact with a second neighboring module (24) via a second raised peripheral edge (44) opposite. Thermal regulation device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 2, in which the first module (32), the last module (34) and/or the intermediate module (36) comprise at least one position holding means (46) to a neighboring module (24). Thermal regulation device (1) according to claim 7 in combination with claim 4, in which the means for holding in position (46) one of the modules (24) has a shape complementary to the raised peripheral edge (30, 42, 44 ) of a neighboring module (24). Method of assembling a thermal regulation device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, during which the modules (24) forming the distribution plate (4) are installed one after the other on the support (2), and during which simultaneous brazing of all the modules (24) and of the support plate (2) is carried out once the modules (24) have been installed, to form the sealed conduit (6). Method of assembling a thermal regulation device (1) according to claim 9, in which during the step of installing the modules (24), the position of each of the modules (24) is fixed one by relative to the others on the support plate (2), by causing means for maintaining in position (46) to cooperate with raised peripheral edges (30, 42, 44) of each of the modules (24).